She's 14yrs old and is usually quite playful (for her age). She doesn't want to sit in the lounge, normally she'll insist on someone's lap for a cuddle. I'm taking her to the vet tomorrow, but I'm really quite concerned for her. Her breathing is worrying me the most, she can't seem to get comfortable and will only sit on one position - with her paws tucked underneath her. She's an indoor cat, I don't think she could have picked anything up outside of our balcony.
Any suggestions?
2007-10-07 11:09:42 · 22 answers · asked by Moll 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
09 October 2007 - Hi, Just wanted to update you. I took her to the Vet first thing Monday. She had a tumour on her lung, both lungs were full of fluid. Vet said there was nothing he could do, that she must have had the tumour for a while (you wouldn't have known though, she was running around with her bumble-bee toy on Friday). She got really stressed when he x-rayed her, he knew then that she would not recover. Sadly, we had to let her go. The vet let me cuddle her while he put her to sleep, he was very gentle and caring. I missed her so much when I came home from work today - I feel very empty. Thanks to everyone who answered and were concerned for her, its very kind of you.
2007-10-09 09:44:57 · update #1
make sure that you keep her hydrated, that might help her breathing. though you may want to consider taking her to the emergency vet, she may need IV hydration.
2007-10-07 11:23:16 · answer #1 · answered by macleod709 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yeah sounds like a foreign object as the cat seems to be comfortable in one position only and wil not eat or drink, the vet will probably do an x-ray that will show the problem, I recon same day the cat will be worked on and all will be well... maybe easy light stimulation to the stomach area may help but not to rough as it may have a sharp object..
If its a kidney issue then yes a tablet a day will help keep the vet away also, there are some special foods that will be helpful if, it is kdney then dont expect immediate results however after about 2 weeks of special diet and pill then you will notice the fur gain a little shine if it has gone dull at the moment. GLuck...............
2007-10-07 11:18:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get her to a vet asap.
Loss of energy and physical discomfort is a key sign of trouble, especially in an active cat of 'advanced years'. Breathlessness is a real worry.
I had a cat who lived for almost 19 years, very much an outdoor cat who was still climbing next door's fir tree (25 ft tall!) until her last few weeks when she became listless, couldn't eat, had snaps of confusion, trouble breathing. The vet said it was a liver problem, too advanced to cure, and we chose to keep her with us as long as we could.
When it was clear she was no longer enjoying anything, even cuddles, she took her last trip to the vet (which was only the 3rd in her whole life!).
I hope this isn't the way it turns out for you. Keep an eye on her, keep her warm, let her know you're there, help her as much as you can (in the ways others have already suggested), and good luck.
Poor cat - and poor you!
Fingers crossed for you both...
2007-10-07 11:40:42 · answer #3 · answered by vilniusite 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi moll, are you in the UK? If you are then ring your nearest rspca or blue cross or similar as they all have 24 hour vets there. Take her now moll, theres something really wrong there, especially since her breathings involved. She may have had a heart attack or a stroke and i'm sorry to tell you this mate but if she has another heart attack or stroke in the night, you won't be able to save her! It could even be a cancerous tumour that has been growing undetected and has now moved, thus interferring with her breathing and her stance. Don't worry about money if its a problem, the rspca will allow you to pay it off weekly, just tell em you've forgotten your purse or something. I'll keep my fingers crossed for her, good luck.
2007-10-07 11:50:04 · answer #4 · answered by misstraceyrick 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm hoping you can get her to the vets to check and see if there's a fluid build up in her chest that's compressing the lungs. Labored breathing can be caused by this, and the longer it goes on, the more the cat suffocates.
A number of other things can cause hard breathing, and all of them need to be checked out for the safety of the cat. Get her in to the vets and don't wait three or four days for an appointment.
2007-10-07 19:07:51 · answer #5 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A possibility is that she has a respiratory infection. If you cannot get her to the vet tonight, you might like to try steaming up the bathroom somehow and staying with her in there for a while to see if that eases the breathing. Obviously, if this causes distress after a few minutes, you should give up on it. I wish I could help:there is nothing worse than to see an animal suffer without knowing why.
Best of luck
2007-10-07 11:21:18 · answer #6 · answered by 1feather 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would call a 24 hour emergency vet and tell them her symptoms. They sound very serious to me. Ask them if they think she'll be able to wait until morning to see your regular vet. If it were my cat I would have her in the car right now. Don't be afraid of the expense. Places like emergency clinics are usually willing to work with you on payments you can afford. Ask them when you call.She's not that old for a cat. Mine lived for 24 years.
2007-10-07 11:26:05 · answer #7 · answered by cestlavie44 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hello Moll. I am a great cat lover and am very sorry indeed to hear about your poor little cat. It does sound like a respiratory problem, which the vet should be able to sort out. Just keep her comfortable, keep her on your lap, don't leave her on her own tonight.
Like another respondent, is there any way you can keep us posted about your cat's welfare?
XXX Barry
2007-10-08 10:04:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
this happened with my aunties cat. she was 14 years old and she died of natural causes according to the vet.. she had to make her last days loving as possible :(
a lot of illnesses in cats can have these symptoms tho so theres no reason why some medical treatment couldnt help. good luck with her and give her a hug from me :)
P.S. let us know what the vet says :)
2007-10-07 11:38:13 · answer #9 · answered by ~"*Make Me A Mammy*"~ 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If she's basically an indoor cat, then I would not worry.
Since she's 14, she could be having problems w/her heart.
Just give her as much love until the Vet can sees her tomorrow.
Good Luck!
2007-10-07 11:14:02 · answer #10 · answered by Dee 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If there's a 24 hour, emergency vet around, I'd take her immediately. Breathing problems is a bad sign, as is the fact that she appears uncomfortable. Good luck!
2007-10-07 11:13:53 · answer #11 · answered by Nellie 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋